Chapter 83: Be Careful on Your Night Walks
Chapter 83: Be Careful on Your Night Walks
Professor Aurene not only failed to check the first-years' homework, but he didn't check any grade's assignments.
This decision made him the most popular professor at Hogwarts overnight, without a doubt.
"He must be able to break the curse and become the first Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to serve consecutive terms in nearly fifty years at Hogwarts," declared Lee Jordan, a passionate Quidditch enthusiast and second-year Gryffindor student, in the Great Hall. "If someone as capable as Professor Aurene can't break the curse, then there's no hope for this subject. It might as well be abolished."
His statement gained support from Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors.
Of course, with support came opposition.
As Lee Jordan spoke passionately, a scoff was heard from the Ravenclaw table.
"Tsk, are you that happy about not having your homework checked?" a slightly handsome Ravenclaw student looked at Lee Jordan with disdainfully, saying, "In my opinion, this decision is extremely irresponsible, even reckless. We've discussed it, and we're going to send a joint letter to Headmaster Dumbledore, complaining about him."
"What did you say?"
The Gryffindor lions glared at the speaker.
At Hogwarts, a professor who doesn't check holiday homework is rarer than a ballet-dancing giant. Now that they've finally encountered one, instead of cherishing it, these bookworms are planning to complain?
Is this even human?
The Gryffindors couldn't bear it. One of them stood up and said, "Do you dare repeat what you just said?"
"I remember you, Ravenclaw's Roger Davies," Lee Jordan said, hands in his pockets, head tilted back, looking at him through his nose. "Weren't you the one who mocked us Gryffindors in Charms class recently...
Tsk tsk, you're quite brave. Be careful on your night walks from now on."
Seeing one of their own students being treated this way, the Ravenclaws couldn't stay seated.
"Roger, don't be afraid," a senior student with a Head Boy badge stood up and looked at the Gryffindor. "Are you trying to pick a fight?"
"Head Boy, you can't just say whatever you want," Fred said, wiggling his fingers. "My friend is just worried that your first-years might fall; how did it become about picking a fight?"
"Oh, I get it," George said. "You want to tattle to Professor McGonagall, right? Accusing us of wanting to fight so she can deduct points from us."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "That way, you can win the House Cup."
"And no one can stop you from complaining about Professor Aurene."
"So that's how it is," Lee Jordan said, his eyes lighting up as he quickly joined in.
"No wonder Ravenclaws are the smartest; they're also the most cunning."
The Head Boy's face turned green at their words.
House Cup... You're in last place; do you have the right to say such things? And with their meager House points, they'd have to be full to even consider scheming against Gryffindor.
"We won't go to the professor," the Ravenclaw Head Boy took a deep breath. "What I mean is, the roads at Hogwarts are flat; Roger won't fall. But if someone has ill intentions, we won't just stand by and watch."
His words boosted the Ravenclaws' morale.
"Yes, we're not afraid of Gryffindor."
"Go ahead, whoever dares to tell the professor who the Snidget is."
"Roger, don't worry. With Edward, the Head Boy, they can't do anything."
...
With the support of others, Roger Davies also became more assertive. He looked up and locked eyes with Jordan Lee, the tension between them growing thicker.
"Kyle, what do you think?" Cedric from Hufflepuff said with some concern, "I hope they won't really fight."
"I'll just sit and watch."
Kyle stuffed a steak into his mouth and said calmly, "As long as they're not stupid, they won't fight."
It's just an argument. Gryffindor and Slytherin argue every day, but they never actually fight.
Moreover, Ravenclaw doesn't want to lose its second-place position in the House Cup, and Gryffindor doesn't want to give Slytherin an easy advantage.
So, trash-talking is already pushing the limits.
As for whether they will do something behind the scenes... Kyle estimated that it was highly unlikely, unless they really wanted to be in detention.
After all, the entire castle knew about this, and the target was too obvious; it was no longer possible to bag them.
Of course, this was only the case for Ravenclaw; if it were Slytherin, it would be a different story.
"What are you doing!"
At this moment, Professor McGonagall suddenly walked in. With her lips pursed, she scrutinized the few students at the center of the conflict.
Read the correct version on 69 Books! 6 = 9 + Books, the first to publish this novel.
"I hope you're not arguing, gentlemen, or else..."
"Of course not, Professor McGonagall," Fred was the first to react and said, "We're just discussing Quidditch."
"Yes," George quickly added, "We all think it's such a pity that Ireland lost to Canada this year."
Jordan Lee was the slowest to react. After George kicked him, he hurriedly said, "They'll definitely win the championship in four years."
...
"Hmph, this is the most foolish opinion I've ever heard."
It was unclear if it was intentional or if he truly believed it, but Roger Davies immediately said, "The Bulgarian team is the strongest. Ireland isn't even worthy of carrying their shoes."
"Haha, what did your Bulgarian team achieve this year..." Fred asked.
George said in a strange tone, "Have you forgotten, Fred? They didn't even make it to the semi-finals!"
"That's only because their Seeker was too weak!" Roger Davies yelled, stretching his neck, "If they had a better Seeker, they would be the strongest team."
Kyle wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Roger seemed angrier than before.
...
The commotion ended in a blur, and Professor McGonagall didn't deduct any points in the end. She only reminded them, "No loud noises in the Great Hall," before approaching Kyle.
"Dumbledore is looking for you." Professor McGonagall gestured towards Michael without changing her expression, "If you're done eating, can you go to the Headmaster's Office?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall."
Kyle swallowed the last bite of his steak and left the Great Hall with her.
As they walked out of the door, Kyle clearly heard Professor McGonagall mutter, "These young wizards... obviously, the Scottish team is the strongest."
...
(End of Chapter)
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